They are Ae! group: Seiya Suezawa, Yoshinori Masakado, Keita Richard Kusama, Ken Kojima, and Masaya Sano are redefining the world of J-POP. Insanely talented and incredibly sexy, these five guys not only sing and dance, but they also play their own instruments and have a heavy hand in crafting the material they perform.
They’re also the first to debut under the reformed STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, which means EVERYONE with any knowledge of the Japanese music industry is watching with bated breath. Will they do it? Can they do it? Will anybody care?
On 18 August, the Ariake Arena in Tokyo was flooded with fans in an area that can fit 15,000 there, to prove that Ae! group had done what many didn’t think they could. Succeed. No. Scratch that. They Exceed ALL expectations. Their own included.
At the start of the summer, the group released their debut song《A》BEGINNING, which, like the name of their first tour since debuting, is the perfect first chapter in this new volume of their careers.
As I waited with fans, I took in their excitement. As an outsider and someone still very new to Idol culture, it’s incredible to see how much love and care they put into supporting their bias—standees, uchiwa (団扇), plush dolls. It’s amazing.
The fans are amazing.
The electricity was sizzling, the air thick with anticipation, as the crowd’s collective chant of “Ae! group” grew louder. United in their fervent devotion to the group, their love and admiration ignited a fire that spread from person to person, row to row. This was more than just a concert – it was a declaration of passion, a jubilant celebration of the blood, sweat, and tears that had brought Ae! group to this moment. The air vibrated with expectation, each chant of the name cranking up the energy to a fever pitch as the crowd held its collective breath, waiting for the opening notes that would unleash a night of unbridled joy, unrelenting passion, and unforgettable magic.
The lights dimmed, and the intro VTR exploded onto the screens, plunging the audience into a heart-pumping, action-packed mini-movie. The Ae! group members were on the run, sprinting from masked men with an air of desperation that left us all breathless. But as they dodged and weaved through the shadows, they suddenly converged, united in their quest for escape. The tension built, the music swelled, and just as they burst through the exit, Yoshinori tossed a lighter at the camera, engulfing the abandoned building in flames. The crowd ERUPTED as the iconic opening chords of “Firebird” blasted through the speakers, unleashing a maelstrom of cheers, screams, and applause. From that very first electrifying note, it was clear: this night was going to be LEGENDARY.
As a relatively new fan, I was unfamiliar with many of the group’s repertoire of songs, especially their covers of STARTO legacy groups like SUPER EIGHT and WEST. However, I did get excited when I heard their rendition of the Naniwa Danshi hit “The Answer,” and Of course, I did recognize all of the songs from their debut single like “Aぇ! LAND”, “+You,” and “WANT!!” – and of course I couldn’t help but move along to《A》BEGINNING.
Of course, “PRIDE” was one of their junior songs, and I recognized it immediately.
Also, I did find the performance of their Junior-Era track “Boku Blues” absolutely gorgeous.
Then, like all 15,000 of my compatriots, I completely lost my mind when the group teased their second single, “Gotta Be.”
For me, the performance of “Gotta Be” held something just a bit more magical than the other performances. It felt like they were finally triumphant in the dreams that they’d been cultivating. This was a celebration of the remarkable journey Ae! group has taken so far and of the limitless possibilities ahead.
As the final bows were taken and the lights dimmed for the last time, the air was alive with emotion, heavy with the weight of shared moments and unforgettable memories. Ae! group’s “Debut Tour The World’s Best AeLIVE” was more than just a concert – it was an immersive, soul-stirring experience that transcended music, speaking directly to the hearts of everyone in attendance.
This was a night overflowing with love, joy, laughter, and tears. A night that honored not just the music but the unbreakable bond between Ae! group and their devoted fans. As I stepped into the night, I had a thought. While “《A》BEGINNING” was a victorious declaration of “We did it!”, “Gotta Be” is a battle cry. “This is only the beginning!”
I can’t wait to see what’s next.
There will be more Ae! group soon, so…
Stay Tuned!
Note: I attended this concert with a friend who also wrote her own review for Genius.
Life In Cartoon Motion 